Inmate recants assault allegation

Officials deciding whether to file false report charges

A Nueces County Jail inmate could face a charge of filing a false
police report after recanting a complaint that another inmate sexually
assaulted him last weekend, Sheriff Rebecca Stutts said Tuesday.

Stutts said at a press conference that her department will turn over
information to the District's Attorney Office for possible false police
report charges.

Stutts would not release the man's name Tuesday pending an opinion
from the county attorney's office, but did say he remained in the
Nueces County Jail on burglary charges.

The inmate told sheriff's officials that Edwin Vega, 23, sexually
assaulted him Sunday. The unnamed man was taken to a hospital for
screening, and the department investigated the charges, Stutts
said.

He changed his story Monday night after being interviewed several
times, she said.

Vega, who was in jail late Tuesday on a $2,500 bond on a charge of
engaging in organized criminal activity, could be charged with simple
assault for the incident, Stutts said.

Sheriff's officials believe the inmate who was taken to the hospital
concocted the story after the two had a fight.

"We take all allegations seriously," Stutts said. "We will not and
cannot make any assumptions."

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